Influence of Structure Parameters on the Information Diffusion Process in Virtual Networks

This paper examines the effects of composition, size and structure of virtual networks on the diffusion of information. The research extends the Axelrod cultural model (ACM), an established theory rooted in political science research, to explain information dissemination among social actors in ICT-enabled virtual networks (Axelrod 1997). The investigation is focused on the impact of network structure parameters and gives insight on how a manipulation of those parameters influences the diffusion of information in virtual networks

EBAY’s Acquisition of Skype SA: Valuing the Voice of the Buyer

This set of teaching cases deals with the surprising acquisition of VOIP provider Skype SA by e-commerce giant eBay in the fall of 2005. The initial case examines two distinct topics: First, it introduces VOIP technology and traces the development of commercial applications from 1995 to 2003. Second, it considers issues of strategic alignment by raising the question of whether eBay should have allied with or acquired Skype SA. The second case provides an epilogue set two years after the acquisition that examines the intermediate outcomes of the Skype integration

CHEP: The Net of Things

PART A: Forced by operational inefficiencies in its own business model, CHEP, the market leader in the rental pallet business, became an early adopter of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Having proven the effectiveness of the technology for internal operations with a pilot test, CHEP now had to find clients who want to adopt the technology-enabled services in order to pay for a large scale roll out. The case traces CHEP’s challenges associated with the development and deployment RFID in its own operation and raises questions of how to proceed with potential IT-enabled change at the enterprise and supply chain level, without spoiling relationships with current clients and maintaining its core business. PART B: In fall 2007, Brian Beattie and Puneet Sawhney looked back at CHEP’s RFID initiative and the progress that has been made since the 2003 decision to further incorporate the technology into its assets. While the original intent of tagging all pallets did not materialize, considerable progress had been made into quantifying the benefits of RFID adoption. Industry-wide developments had changed the scope of the RFID initiative from simply tagging the asset pool to creating value added service for CHEP’s clients. Overall, RFID had yet to revolutionize the supply chain, but the evolution of technology and the innovation of RFID related products and services had aided CHEP in maintaining its market leadership in the pallet business and enabled CHEP to created new lines of business

Toys Become Tools: From Virtual Worlds to Real Commerce

This teaching case considers the challenges and opportunities faced by an entrepreneur in Second Life, one of the more popular virtual world environments. Second Life provides the economic and technological platform required for immersion, social interaction, and the potential of private enterprise. Many entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the various business opportunities offered in Second Life, and a number have earned significant income through their in-world creations and services. Stuart O\u27Brian, the CEO and founder of VirtualCircle, was one of the early pioneers of virtual commerce. Over the last three years, his organization faced multiple business and technology challenges while negotiating the hypercompetitive and turbulent environment within Second Life. However, he now questions the sustainability of the ever-changing and agile business model that enabled the success of VirtualCircle. Stuart also faces questions regarding avenues of future growth and is grappling with issues concerning interoperability and the replication of his prior success in other virtual environments—and the real world

Real Commerce in Virtual Worlds

This teaching case considers the challenges and opportunities faced by an entrepreneur in Second Life, one of the more popular virtual world environments. Second Life provides the economic and technological platform required for immersion, social interaction and the potential of private enterprise. Many entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the various business opportunities offered in Second Life and a number have earned significant real dollars through their in-world creations and services. Stuart O\u27Brian, the CEO and founder of VirtualCircle, was one of the early pioneers of virtual commerce. Over the last three years, his organization faced multiple business and technology challenges while negotiating the hypercompetitive and turbulent environment within Second Life. However, he now questions the sustainability of the ever-changing and agile business model that enabled the success of VirtualCircle. Stuart also faces questions regarding avenues of future growth and is grappling with issues concerning interoperability and the replication of his prior success in other virtual environments - and the real world

Inter-Organizational Learning in Technology Acquisitions: Procuring More Than Knowledge

The fifth wave of Merger and Acquisition includes an increasing amount of technology acquisitions. Large firms acquire small, technology-centric firms as an external source of knowledge and innovation. A major challenge in these acquisitions is to capture the knowledge of the acquired firm as well as to assimilate and utilize it in the acquiring company. We extend March’s (1991) model of organizational learning through exploration and exploitation with an agent-based model allowing knowledge transfer across organizational boundaries from a target organization to an acquiring organization through (1) retention of employees from the smaller company into the large one or through (2) appropriation of the smaller target company’s organizational code by incorporation of industry best practice or cutting-edge technology. Our preliminary results qualify and extend March’s (1991) conclusions